Orthotic shoe insert for high-heeled shoes

ABSTRACT

An orthotic insert for a high-heeled shoe may have an asymmetrical heel cup including a depressed central region configured for a heel of a wearer. Features including an elevated medial-side surface along a medial side upper surface declining toward the central region, and a generally longitudinal lateral-side elevation along an upper lateral edge of the heel cup may be configured to provide a predetermined supported calcaneal angle for a wearer, wherein the angle is offset from vertical. An anterior retention structure configured as a rounded hump extending across an anterior region of the heel cup, generally transverse to the elevated medial-side surface, with a middle portion of the rounded hump curved laterally away from a center of the heel cup may be included to prevent anterior calcaneal movement relative to the heel cup.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent document claims the benefit of the filing date of Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/214,660, filed Apr. 28, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to orthotic shoe products. More particularly, the invention pertains to orthotic supports for shoes having a high heel.

BACKGROUND

Many women report foot, knee, hip, and low back pain while wearing high heeled shoes. These pains are caused by increased pressure on the ball of the foot due to the foot sliding forward in the shoe, increased duration of time the ball of the foot is on the ground during gait, increased pressure on the medial (big toe) side of the foot, flattened heel pad, shortened Achilles tendon length, lack of terminal knee extension with gait, and altered lumbar lordosis (low back curvature) with wear. Previous attempts have been made to add cushioning to the shoe or drastically change the shape of the high heel in order to decrease the pain associated with wearing high heeled shoes. Consumers and the persons treating them for pains associated with wearing high heels have characterized many of these previous attempts as ineffective. Many of them include an expensive aftermarket modification to the shoe that may be visually unattractive to the wearer. Other previous designs may be manufactured directly into shoes, but not provide a desirable level of comfort.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide support structures that may be installed in a pre-existing high-heeled shoe that will provide comfort and/or reduce discomfort for the wearer by providing structural support and promoting desirable biomechanics, while not providing an undesirable aesthetic appearance. There is also a need for support structure that may be installed during manufacture that will not significantly increase the shoes' price while still providing effective support and promoting desirable biomechanics.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect, embodiments of an orthotic insert for a high-heeled shoe may have an asymmetrical heel cup including a depressed central region configured for a heel of a wearer; an elevated medial-side surface along a medial side upper surface declining toward the central region; a generally longitudinal lateral-side elevation along an upper lateral edge of the heel cup, wherein the elevated medial-side surface and the lateral side elevation are configured to provide a predetermined supported calcaneal angle for a wearer, wherein the angle is offset from vertical; and an anterior retention structure configured as a rounded hump extending across an anterior region of the heel cup, generally transverse to the elevated medial-side surface, with a middle portion of the rounded hump curved laterally away from a center of the heel cup, the anterior retention structure configured prevent anterior calcaneal movement relative to the heel cup.

In another aspect, embodiments of an orthotic insert configured for installation into a high-heeled shoe may include a heel cup with a concave central region configured for a heel of a wearer; an elevated medial-side surface inclining to a medial side upper surface from the central region; a generally longitudinal lateral-side lip defining an upper lateral edge of the heel cup, wherein the elevated medial-side surface and the lateral side elevation are configured to support a heel pad of a wearer and to provide a predetermined supported calcaneal angle for a wearer of about one to about five degrees relative to vertical; and a generally crescent-shaped anterior retention structure configured as a rounded hump curved around an anterior region of the heel cup between the elevated medial-side surface and lateral-side lip, the anterior retention structure configured to further support a wearer heel pad and to prevent anterior calcaneal movement relative to the central region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1E show views of a first embodiment of an orthotic insert;

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 with reference to supporting a calcaneal angle;

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of an orthotic insert;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 aligned with bones of a exemplary wearer's foot;

FIG. 5 shows a medial-side view of the foot and insert of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of an orthotic insert; and

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of an orthotic insert installed in an exemplary high-heeled shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments are described with reference to the drawings in which like elements are generally referred to by like numerals. The relationship and functioning of the various elements of this invention may better be understood by reference to the following detailed description. However, embodiments of this invention are not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and in certain instances details may have been omitted that are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention, such as—for example—conventional fabrication and assembly.

As used in the specification, the terms “anterior” and “posterior” should be understood with reference to a person wearing a shoe and/or orthotic device. Hence, the term “anterior” means frontward, in the direction faced and in which the toes are pointing, and the term “posterior” means the opposite direction (i.e., rearward).

One embodiment of an orthotic support for a high heel shoe is described with reference to FIGS. 1-1E, which shows an orthotic insert embodied as an asymmetrical heel cup 100 (configured for a right foot, where a left foot embodiment will be substantially a mirror image, but may be modified for a particular wearer's anatomy). FIG. 1 shows a top view of the heel cup 100. FIG. 1A shows a side view from the medial (big toe) side of FIG. 1, and FIG. 1B shows a side view from the lateral (pinky toe) side of FIG. 1. FIG. 1C shows a longitudinal section view along line C-C of FIG. 1, FIG. 1D shows a transverse section view along line D-D of FIG. 1, and FIG. 1E shows a transverse section view along line E-E of FIG. 1,

The heel cup 100 includes a depressed central region 102 configured to receive the heel of a wearer in a concave area. An elevated medial-side surface 104 is configured along a medial side upper surface of the central region 102 and declines toward the central region 102 to provide a wearer with a predetermined calcaneal angle that may be, for example, about two degrees (described more particularly below with reference to FIG. 2). A generally longitudinal lateral-side elevation provides a lip 106 along an upper lateral edge of the heel cup 100.

An anterior retention structure configured as a rounded hump 108 extends across an anterior region of the heel cup 100. The hump 108 is disposed generally transverse to the elevated medial-side surface 104, with a middle portion of the rounded hump curved slightly away from a center of the upper side 102 heel cup 100 such that its anterior face extends posteriorly beyond the sides 104, 106, and sloping/declining into the central region, preferably configured to support the posterior portion of a wearer's heel pad in a crescent-like manner. The anterior retention structure 108 is configured to prevent anterior calcaneal movement relative to the heel cup when the heel of a wearer is positioned in the central region 102, and particularly when the posterior portion of the wearer's foot is angled forward and down in a high-heeled shoe.

One cause of short- and long-term wearer discomfort from high heeled shoes includes compensation by the ankles, knees, hips, and back for weight displacement and altered biomechanics due to unsupported varus. “Varus” refers to the rotation of the calcaneus (heel bone) and other bones of the foot when a person stands on tip-toes or in a pair of high-heeled shoes (e.g., having a heel elevation of, for example, more than two inches). It will be appreciated that elevating the heel relative to the foot while standing lifts/rotates the medial side of the heel slightly (varus) and therefore displaces weight laterally—which contrasts with the normal biomechanics of standing flat-footed where weight is distributed more uniformly along the arch defined by the tarsals and soft tissue. FIG. 2 shows how the elevated medial-side surface 104 supports the elevated medial side of the calcaneus, which will also be appreciated with reference to FIG. 1C. This support provides for more natural/normal weight distribution of weight through the foot (when varus) than in a typical high-heeled shoe.

In particular, FIG. 2 shows a posterior view of the right insert 100. The elevated medial-side surface 104 provides a taller support that tapers gradually toward the central depressed region 102. The lateral lip 106 preferably provides about one-third the height of the elevated medial-side surface 104 relative to where each will contact and support the heel of a user such that they preferably provide and support a calcaneal angle of about one to about five degrees, but more preferably about two to about three degrees off vertical. This unique feature provides calcaneal angle support that is absent in prior devices, which are generally symmetrical in medial-lateral heel pad support. In particular, the present design provides support for and supports the natural biomechanics of medial-side calcaneal elevation when a wearer's heel is elevated above the ball of the foot, such as in a high-heeled shoe.

More particularly, it should be noted that—during a standard gait with no shoes or relatively flat shoes, a person's weight tends to be distributed slightly medial of the center of the person's heel. However, when a person raises up onto the balls of her feet, her heel is elevated—with the medial side elevated slightly more than the lateral side due to the natural biomechanics of the ankle joint and associated muscles, tendons, and ligaments. For a person wearing high-heeled shoes, the weight is centered more laterally (relative to the person's heel), as the heel is elevated, with the weight centered medial relative to the stiletto of a shoe as the person's weight falls onto the flat upper surface in the posterior insole of a typical high-heeled shoe. (The term stiletto is used to refer to what is commonly called the “heel” of a high-heeled shoe to avoid confusion with reference to the anatomical heel of a wearer used elsewhere; as such, the term stiletto is used with reference to a broad or narrow structure of a high-heeled shoe that will elevate the heel of the wearer relative to the ball of the same wearer's foot).

The elevated medial surface 104 provides support and cushioning that provides for a more natural feel and more natural biomechanics by distributing the weight across the heel pad (in conjunction with the soft tissue support of the lateral lip 106) in a fashion that is much more similar to that experienced during a non-high-heeled gait and standing dynamic. This will provide the wearer with comfort and support much more like that associated with non-high-heeled shoes, while still providing a wearer with the aesthetic and other advantages associated with wearing high-heeled shoes.

In addition to generally supporting the natural biomechanics/muscle-bone-joint interaction for which the human foot is designed, this support of natural varus will promote a more natural twist/rotation of the wearer's first metatarsal 361 (see FIG. 4) as compared to a high-heeled shoe lacking the support provided by this heel cup 100. This promotion of more natural biomechanics, with specific reference to the first metatarsal 361, may alleviate and/or even help to prevent the pain of bunions associated with constant and/or repeated pressure on, and restriction of natural movement of, the first metatarsal relative to the other bones of the foot.

As one example, in the embodiment shown in a FIG. 2 (and with the relevant surfaces most clearly shown in the section view of FIG. 1C), dimensioned for a U.S. size 7 women's shoe, the elevated medial-side surface 104 will raise the medial portion of the heel by about ⅜-inch (about 9.5 mm), while the lateral lip 106 will raise the lateral portion of the heel by about ⅛-inch (about 3.2 mm), providing and supporting a calcaneal angle of about two degrees. In such an embodiment, the rounded hump 108 is about ½-inch tall relative to the lowest upper surface 102 of the heel cup 100, and its posterior side rises relatively steeply to that height over only about ⅝-inch of posterior-anterior longitudinal distance from the lowest point of the central depressed region 102. The anterior side of the rounded hump 108 descends more gradually over about ¾-inch to the anterior edge of the heel cup 100.

Another exemplary description with reference to FIGS. 1-1E may also provide reference for the relative proportions of a preferred embodiment of an insert 100. In one embodiment, the anterior-posterior length (i.e., from the top to the bottom of FIG. 1) may be about 6.8 cm. The insert 100 may be configured as about 5.8 cm wide at its widest (medial-lateral) width. The rounded hump 108, most clearly shown in FIG. 1C, may be about 6 to about 8 mm, preferably about 6.8 to about 7.2 mm tall at its thickest point (i.e., at its apex), descending in a curved manner to the thinnest portion of the insert at the lowest portion of the concavity 102, which may be about 1 mm in thickness, over about 2.5 to about 3 cm of anterior to posterior length. The posterior rim of the concavity 102 may be about 5 mm tall. The medial-side elevation 104 may be about 0.9 to about 1 cm tall (vertically relative to the bottom surface) for much of its length, with its thickness (in its thickest dimension, as shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E) transitioning from about 5 to about 5.5 mm adjacent the center of the concavity 102 to a region adjacent the anterior hump 108 where it may be about 7 to about 8 mm thick. The lateral-side elevation 106 may be about 5 to about 7 mm tall (vertically relative to the bottom surface) for much of its length, with its thickness (in its thickest dimension, as shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E) transitioning from about 4 mm adjacent the center of the concavity 102 to a region adjacent the anterior hump 108 where it may be about 6 to about 7 mm thick.

This configuration promotes biomechanically correct movement during standing and walking when a wearer uses the inserts 100 in a pair of high-heeled shoes. The surfaces (both raised and depressed) described may include cushioning. However, the insert embodiments disclosed herein differ from previous designs, which have tended to focus on cushioning the central portion of the heel and/or the ball of the foot. Those designs, which place a cushion under the central heel portion and/or under the ball of the foot tend to displace the soft tissue of the foot (e.g., the heel pad) toward the edges of the underlying bone and thereby concentrate the downward forces exerted through those bones in a manner not using the natural cushioning of that soft tissue. This actually increases the net forces on the inferior portion of the calcaneus (including the inner and outer tuberosities of the calcaneus). The medial, lateral, and anterior raised surfaces of the insert embodiments disclosed herein decrease migration of the heel pad tissue, and thereby are configured to maximize the wearer's comfort by allowing her own heel pad to function in the cushioning fashion for which it is designed.

The anterior rounded hump 108 is also configured to prevent the wearer's foot from sliding anteriorly in the shoe. In standard high-heeled shoes, there is a marked tendency of the foot to move anteriorly when the wearer is walking or standing. This places an inordinately high amount of force on the ball of the foot when compared to a standard gait wearing no shoes or flat-soled shoes. Also, in many high-heeled shoes, anterior motion of the foot forces it into a narrower portion of the shoe and introduces compression from the sides and/or top and bottom of the foot that can be uncomfortable and lead to long-term discomfort (e.g., such as that associated with bunions). In addition to being configured to support the posterior heel pad portion of a wearer, the retention structure 108 will promote more naturally balanced biomechanical forces between the heel, arch, ball, and toes of a wearer's foot, particularly when the wearer is walking. Its construction, together with the lateral and medial lips described above, most preferably provide support to the soft tissue (skin, fat, muscles, tendons, joint tissues, and ligaments) of the foot in a manner promoting biomechanically aligned and balanced force production of the muscles and lower legs to minimize muscle strain and/or irritation of the plantar fascia.

FIGS. 3-5 show another embodiment of an orthotic insert 300 that includes the advantageous features described above, and also supports the anterior portion of a wearer's feet. FIG. 3 shows a top view of the insert 300. FIG. 4 shows a top view of the insert 300 as it will be positioned relative to the foot bones of a wearer (right foot only is shown by way of illustrative example), and FIG. 5 shows a medial side view of FIG. 4, including that the foot is positioned as it will be when wearing a high-heeled shoe. The insert 300 includes a heel cup portion 301 like the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, and also includes an arch support extending anteriorly from the heel cup. The heel cup 301 includes a depressed central region 302 configured to receive the heel of a wearer. An elevated medial-side surface 304 is configured along a medial side upper surface of the central region 302 and declines toward the central region 302 to provide and support a wearer with a calcaneal angle of about two degrees (as described with reference to FIG. 2). A generally longitudinal lateral-side elevation provides a lip 306 along an upper lateral edge of the heel cup 301.

An anterior retention structure configured as a rounded hump 308 extends across an anterior region of the heel cup 301. The hump 308 is disposed generally transverse to the elevated medial-side surface 304, with a middle portion of the rounded hump curved slightly away from a center of the upper side 302 heel cup 300 and sloping/declining into the central region. The anterior retention structure 308 is configured prevent anterior calcaneal movement relative to the heel cup when the heel of a wearer is positioned in the central region 302, and particularly when the posterior portion of the wearer's foot is angled forward and down in a high-heeled shoe.

The arch support extends anteriorly from the heel cup 301. It includes a larger raised medial-side longitudinal arch portion 334 that includes an upper contour 335 configured to support an arch of a wearer's foot defined by the wearer's medial tarsals 360 and metatarsals 361-365. A smaller narrow longitudinal raised arch portion 336 runs longitudinally along and defines a lateral-side edge of the insert 300, configured to support a lateral-side bottom-to-side portion of a wearer's foot between the heel and pinky toe (e.g., along the lateral border of the tarsals and fifth metatarsal of a wearer's foot). A generally triangular rounded metatarsal support pad 340 includes a raised upper surface configured to support the bones of a wearer's foot. A first side defining a base 342 of the generally triangular rounded metatarsal support 340 is configured to align along a line between the medial side of the second metatarsal 362 and the lateral side of the third metatarsal 363 portions defining the ball of a wearer's foot. In many embodiments, the metatarsal pad 340 will generally be configured to underlie the second, third, and fourth metatarsals of a wearer's foot.

The raised upper surface of the generally triangular rounded metatarsal support 340 is configured to be highest between the second and third metatarsals 362, 363, tapering laterally to a lower height across the base 342 toward the lateral edge of the fourth metatarsal 364 and tapering medially to a lower height across the base toward the medial edge of the second metatarsal 362. A rounded point 344 of the generally triangular rounded metatarsal support 340 opposite the base 342 is configured to taper to a terminus 344 near a posterior end of, and between, the second and third metatarsals 362, 363.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the full-length insert 300, with a posterior portion and the bottom surface of the heel cup 301 being absent, the depressed central region comprising a void 389 that is posteriorly open. This embodiment may be the same as FIG. 3 in all other aspects, including that it provides lateral, anterior, and medial support. This embodiment may be desirable for use in a shoe that is “backless” where the wearer wishes to provide the advantages of the insert 300 while minimizing its already-low profile and visibility to others. It should be appreciated that an alternative embodiment of the “heel cup only” configuration (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1) can also be practiced with this modification within the scope of the present invention. In other embodiments, the central depressed region may comprise an open area/void, while the posterior is closed (as indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 6).

FIG. 7 shows the full-length insert 300 installed in a high-heeled shoe 700 (all upper materials not shown). It should be appreciated that a full-length insert 300 or a heel cup 100 may be installed in a shoe 700 during manufacture. Alternatively, an insert (e.g., 100, 300) may be installed as an aftermarket enhancement for a shoe by a wearer. An adhesive or other chemical and/or mechanical securing means may be provided as part of the insert to help install it into a shoe in a useful manner. Many adhesives are well-known commercially that will be appropriate for use within the scope of the present invention, for securing an insert to a shoe. For example, one or more adhesive portions covered by removable paper or plastic backing material may be provided on the underside of an insert 100 or an insert 300, or alternative embodiments thereof. In an aftermarket application, a wearer may remove the backing material and secure the adhesive portion into a shoe by, for example, adhering the insert to the upper surface of the shoe's insole portion configured to house a wearer's heel.

Insert embodiments may include rigid and semi-rigid construction materials such as, for example, fiberglass, carbon fiber, polyurethane, polyethylene, and/or foam. In some embodiments the insert may include a fabric covering made of natural, synthetic, or blended fibers constructed as cloth, mesh, or the like. Covering materials may include one or more of suede, microfiber, bamboo, cotton, natural or synthetic leather, and/or other materials, which preferably will include materials configured and selected to complement (or at least not detract from) the appearance of a shoe to which the insert will be installed, and which preferably will provide for wearer comfort.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments not expressly illustrated herein may be practiced within the scope of the present invention, including that features described herein for different embodiments may be combined with each other and/or with currently-known or future-developed technologies while remaining within the scope of the claims presented here. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting. And, it should be understood that the following claims, including all equivalents, are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention. 

1. An orthotic insert for a high-heeled shoe, the insert comprising: an asymmetrical heel cup including a depressed central region configured for a heel of a wearer; an elevated medial-side surface along a medial side upper surface declining toward the central region; a generally longitudinal lateral-side elevation along an upper lateral edge of the heel cup, wherein the elevated medial-side surface and the lateral side elevation are configured to provide a predetermined supported calcaneal angle for a wearer, wherein the angle is offset from vertical; and an anterior retention structure configured as a rounded hump extending across an anterior region of the heel cup, generally transverse to the elevated medial-side surface, with a middle portion of the rounded hump curved laterally away from a center of the heel cup, the anterior retention structure configured prevent anterior calcaneal movement relative to the heel cup.
 2. The orthotic insert of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive configured for securing the insert to a shoe.
 3. The orthotic insert of claim 1, further comprising a shoe.
 4. The orthotic insert of claim 3, wherein the shoe is a high-heeled shoe having an elevated heel height of at least two inches.
 5. The orthotic insert of claim 3, wherein the insert is installed into the shoe during manufacture.
 6. The orthotic insert of claim 3, wherein the insert is configured to be installed into a pre-existing shoe.
 7. The orthotic insert of claim 1, wherein the predetermined supported calcaneal angle for a wearer is about one to about five degrees.
 8. The orthotic insert of claim 1, wherein the predetermined supported calcaneal angle for a wearer is about two degrees.
 9. The orthotic insert of claim 1, wherein the depressed central region comprises an open void.
 10. The orthotic insert of claim 1, further comprising an open posterior portion of the heel cup configured to minimize visibility of the insert from a posterior view.
 11. The orthotic insert of claim 1, further comprising an arch support extending anteriorly from the heel cup, the arch support comprising: a larger raised medial-side longitudinal arch portion that includes an upper contour configured to support an arch of a wearer's foot defined by medial tarsals and metatarsals; a smaller narrow longitudinal raised arch portion that runs longitudinally along and defines a lateral-side edge of the insert, configured to support a lateral-side bottom-to-side portion of a wearer's foot between the heel and pinky toe; and a generally triangular rounded metatarsal support including a raised surface, wherein a first side defining a base of the generally triangular rounded metatarsal support is configured to align along a line between the medial side of the second metatarsal and the lateral side of the third metatarsal portions defining a ball of a wearer's foot, wherein the raised surface is configured to be highest between the second and third metatarsals, tapering laterally to a lower height across the base toward the lateral edge of the fourth metatarsal and tapering medially to a lower height across the base toward the medial edge of the second metatarsal; and wherein a rounded point of the generally triangular rounded metatarsal support opposite the base is configured to taper to a terminus near a posterior end of, and between, the second and third metatarsals.
 12. An orthotic insert configured for installation into a high-heeled shoe, the insert comprising: a heel cup including a concave central region configured for a heel of a wearer; an elevated medial-side surface inclining to a medial side upper surface from the central region; a generally longitudinal lateral-side lip defining an upper lateral edge of the heel cup, wherein the elevated medial-side surface and the lateral side elevation are configured to support a heel pad of a wearer and to provide a predetermined supported calcaneal angle for a wearer of about one to about five degrees relative to vertical; and a generally crescent-shaped anterior retention structure configured as a rounded hump curved around an anterior region of the heel cup between the elevated medial-side surface and lateral-side lip, the anterior retention structure configured to further support a wearer heel pad and to prevent anterior calcaneal movement relative to the central region.
 13. The orthotic insert of claim 12, further comprising an open posterior portion of the heel cup configured to minimize visibility of the insert from a posterior view.
 14. The orthotic insert of claim 12, further comprising an adhesive configured for securing the insert to a shoe.
 15. The orthotic insert of claim 12, further comprising a shoe.
 16. The orthotic insert of claim 15, wherein the shoe is a high-heeled shoe having an elevated heel height of at least two inches.
 17. The orthotic insert of claim 15, wherein the insert is installed into the shoe during manufacture.
 18. An insole for a high-heeled shoe, comprising: an insole insert including a heel cup with medial, lateral, and posterior raised portions surrounding a central region; a curved bump along an anterior portion of the central region; a medial support configured to extend along a length of a wearer's longitudinal arch; a lateral lip configured to extend along the lateral border of the tarsals and fifth metatarsal of a wearer's foot; and a metatarsal pad configured to underlie the second, third, and fourth metatarsals of a wearer's foot.
 19. The insole of claim 18, comprising a semi-rigid material construction.
 20. The insole of claim 18, further comprising a high-heeled shoe. 